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2006 News and Information

City of Richmond Wins Friendly Commuter Challenge

21 June 2006

For the second consecutive year, the City of Richmond has won a friendly challenge with WorkSafeBC (Workers’ Compensation Board of BC) for the Commuter Challenge, on National Clean Air Day on June 7. The City had the highest number of employees using alternative and sustainable modes of transportation to get to work.

The City won the challenge with 16.3% of its employees finding environmentally friendly ways to get to work. By increasing the use of sustainable transportation, the city and the region will be more liveable - with reduced traffic congestion and harmful vehicle emissions, and improved employee and public health.

In total, 253 City of Richmond employees participated, logging a total of 4,400 kilometres traveling to work. These actions prevented 749.6 kilograms of emissions consisting primarily of 746 kilograms of carbon dioxide (CO2), from polluting the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. As well, 3.6 kilograms of nitrous oxide (NOx) and 23 grams of airborne particulate matter (PM2.5) emissions were prevented - both are major components of smog.

The alternative modes of transportation included 153 carpoolers (including 80 year-round carpoolers with the City’s employee carpool program), 34 transit riders, 34 cyclists, and 32 walkers/runners, including two people who jogged from Kitsilano, Vancouver to City Hall.

The City has participated in the annual Commuter Challenge since its inception in 1996. Initiatives such as this demonstrate the City’s corporate and employees’ individual commitment to protecting our environment, while enjoying the benefits of increased physical activity.

The Commuter Challenge is a friendly competition between municipalities, businesses and other organizations that highlights the benefits of reducing vehicle trips to the workplace and introduces people to sustainable methods of transportation. The goal is to get as many people as possible to use active and/or sustainable modes of transportation, such as walking, bicycling, taking transit, and car/vanpooling.